How to prepare for the eclipse

• Be prepared for crowds, lines and traffic. Allow extra time for travel.

• Have snacks, water and first-aid supplies on hand.

• Have an emergency kit and emergency plan; make sure family members or friends know your schedule, when you are expected to return, and your plan if something happens.

• Have a full tank of gas days in advance of the eclipse to avoid long lines at the pumps and potential shortages.

For businesses and employers:

• Prepare for a larger than normal influx of customers. Goods should be ordered and staffing adjusted accordingly.

• Encourage your employees to be prepared with full fuel tanks and other necessary supplies to avoid long lines and other delays that could occur should the influx of visitors be significant.

• Talk to suppliers, particularly those out of the local area that may not anticipate the event. Some deliveries might need to be adjusted accordingly.

Protect Your Eyes

Eclipse viewers should protect their eyes from the sun using certified eclipse glasses to prevent eye damage.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that looking directly at the sun without the correct eye protection, even for a short time, can cause permanent damage to your retinas.

• Damage can occur without pain, and it can take a few hours or even a few days after viewing the eclipse to have symptoms of damage, which include not being able to see colors as well and loss of central vision, with only side vision remaining. If you notice any symptoms after viewing the eclipse, seek immediate help from your eye care professional.

• The best way to know for sure whether your eclipse glasses will provide adequate protection is to check to see if the filters on the glasses were manufactured by a reputable vendor that has achieved ISO certification. The American Astronomical Society keeps a list of reputable vendors at https://eclipse.aas.org/ resources/solar-filters

• Avoid looking at the sun through an unfiltered camera, smartphone, telescope, or any other optical device. You’ll need to add a certified solar filter to these devices to safely look at the sun.

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